Jay Jaeel Koo

Our most kind, determined and greatly beloved husband, brother, father and grandfather, Jay Jaeel Koo, 96 (Korean age), of Riverdale, New York died peacefully on March 17, 2026.

Jay epitomized the "never give up" figure with his incredible will to succeed for his family and his desire to live a life filled with service and love.

Jay was born in Hwanghae Province, Korea on June 1, 1930, the son of Shin Whae Koo and Tae Soo Park. Although he grew up during the Japanese occupation, Hwanghae Province was prosperous as a major agricultural and coastal trading region in Northwest Korea. Jay had a skill for languages, becoming fluent in Japanese and learning English in school and on his own, and as the eldest son he felt a strong responsibility to work hard and take care of his family. During the Korean War he served as an interpreter for the US Marines, and he moved his parents and siblings to the South to escape the Communists. After the war, he graduated from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, earning a degree that positioned him to pursue a business career at an international level, and he became the regional manager of Korean National Airlines in Jeju, Korea.

In 1960, Jay married his wife of 64 years, Jungwoo Ahn, and thus they began their amazing life journey together. Jay and Jungwoo's dream was to immigrate to America and raise their three children, providing them with the best opportunities possible. Together, with faith, hard work, and enduring hope, they willed their dream into reality. In 1968, Jay traveled to Los Angeles to lay the foundation for his family’s life in America, and after establishing himself there his wife and children joined him. He was subsequently recruited to become the general manager of the New York branch of DS Enterprise, a Korean hair product company, and the family moved to New York City. In the late 1970s, Jay left DS and he and Jungwoo built successful businesses in the Bronx and a loving home in Riverdale, NY. Jay managed his sole proprietor business the same way that he led his life: with courage, hard work and a focus on building relationships through compassion and treating people fairly. He led his successful store with a loyal clientele for more than two decades. After retirement, Jay and Jungwoo became avid golfers, spending the winter months in Lake Wales, Florida and the summer and autumn seasons in Bailey Island, Maine.

Jay’s most important moments were found in time with his family. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, always supporting his family’s dreams and instilling the importance of integrity, honesty and hard work. His encyclopedic knowledge of English grammar made it a breeze for his children with their schoolwork: already by grade school, the Koo children could list the prepositions and conjunctions, and by the later years they could discuss the use of gerunds and subjunctive moods. As a member of the pre-baby boom “Builders Generation”, Jay was a shining example of the positive values and qualities that our family and society as a whole are built upon. He was also a man who was ahead of his time in terms of gender roles in society. He and Jungwoo had a very healthy, equal representation in their marriage. He was so comfortable not ever having to prove his “manliness.” His children can confidently say that from watching their father, they have grown up with such a healthy appreciation of women and men’s contributions in society. Jay was also a firm believer in the value of education, and he took great pride in visiting his three children and two of his grandchildren at Williams College in Massachusetts.

Jay will be joining his beloved wife Jungwoo who left us a year ago. He is survived and missed by his brothers Ja Hyeon Koo and Ja Hoe Koo; his sons Dr. Harry Koo and John Koo; his daughter and son-in-law Patty Koo Bassett and David Bassett; and his grandchildren: Irene (her husband Caleb), Jinmoe, Christopher and Lauren. He was predeceased by his brothers Ja Won Koo and Ja Oak Koo.

Family and friends are welcome to attend a Celebration of Life funeral service at The Donohue Funeral Home, 3300 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073 on March 29 at 11:00 AM, followed immediately by a light reception. A private family burial will take place at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Farmingdale, NY.

A heartfelt thank you to our family and friends for their loving support and prayers.